A horse owner is expected to be charged after animal welfare officers said they found an underweight and injured animal at an area farm.

Officers with the Highland County Humane Society and the sheriff's office searched a home in the southwestern part of the county after the animal's condition was reported.

Investigators said the horse was emaciated, blind and couldn't stand on one of its legs, and it was living in mud, manure and urine.

"The condition of this horse was the worst I've seen since I began doing animal cruelty investigations, 14 years ago," said animal cruelty investigator Brad Adams. "I did make contact with the horse's owner, who had recently left the State of Ohio. According to the owner, the horse is old."

"The horse laid her head over (her) shoulder and softly closed her eyes," Adams said. "It was like the horse felt the comfort of a human's touch and knew help was there and that she wouldn't have to feel any pain or suffering much longer."

The horse is currently under veterinary care.

The owner's name has not yet been released, but authorities said animal cruelty charges would likely be filed.